Is there something wrong with this?

[BRoth]

So reporters in the newsroom got new laptops recently and the executive editor and editors mentioned to us how it makes it now convenient that we can all go out and spend more time in our beat areas. They keep mentioning this in passing.

This comes on the heels of them closing our satellite offices a few months ago.

I'm all for being in and around your beat, but does it seem weird that they want us to leave the office and go play on our laptops elsewhere instead of actually spending time in the office? I don't mind going out, but my beat is 45 minutes away from where I live and 20 from the offices and I think I'd rather spend the majority time at the office unless I do have to go cover something. Especially with that whole "winter" thing coming up.

Does this make sense or am I just whining? No one has said out and out they want us to go spend __ hours or days in our beat area, but it's continually suggested how great it is that we can do that now, etc.

 

[Flash]

God forbid you leave your desk and go talk to the people you write about ...

 

[hockeybeat]

I would rather be out talking to the people that I cover than in the office.

 

[txsportsscribe]

let me get this straight, you're complaining about being away from the office?

 

[Flash]

Does not compute ...

 

[HejiraHenry]

Yeah, I think reporters spend waaaay too much time in the office.

Get outside and report. Wear a coat.

 

[John]

Yeah, I think reporters spend waaaay too much time in the office.

Get outside and report. Wear a coat.

Only if it's cold.

 

[BRoth]

Guess I'll suck it up. I just enjoy the flexibility of being around the office and going out to report rather than vice versa.

I suppose I have a bright future ahead of me as a copy editor.

 

[dawgpounddiehard]

Sorry BRoth, but this doesn't quite add up...

Your shop GAVE you a laptop and told you to spend more time around your beat. How is that a bad thing? From being out of the office, to being able to be closer to your beat (think about the breaking news and types of features you can get with more time there). And it, what, costs you 25 minutes on your drive? Satellite radio, a new music or book on CD and those 25 minutes fly by.

Is it really that fun in your office?

 

[Flash]

Guess I'll suck it up. I just enjoy the flexibility of being around the office and going out to report rather than vice versa.

I suppose I have a bright future ahead of me as a copy editor.

Dude, I died a little every day when I took a job as a copy editor and was confined to a desk and a phone for interviews. It sucks so bad when you're a reporter at heart.

 

[Joe Williams]

As an old boss of mine once said, "I don't see any stories breaking here in this newsroom. Get out where the stories are." And I'm not nominating that for any great brilliance -- it is common sense for our business.

A litmus test of a bad SE or any department head is when someone believes in "face time," the idea that reporters need to be in the office, almost keeping strict office hours, to prove they're earning their pay. Worked for two of those jerks, worst bosses I ever had.

But y'know something? Brown-noses seem to spend more time in the office than non-brown-noses, and damn if more of the SE and asst. SE jobs don't go their way.

 

[BRoth]

As an old boss of mine once said, "I don't see any stories breaking here in this newsroom. Get out where the stories are." And I'm not nominating that for any great brilliance -- it is common sense for our business.

A litmus test of a bad SE or any department head is when someone believes in "face time," the idea that reporters need to be in the office, almost keeping strict office hours, to prove they're earning their pay. Worked for two of those jerks, worst bosses I ever had.

But y'know something? Brown-noses seem to spend more time in the office than non-brown-noses, and damn if more of the SE and asst. SE jobs don't go their way.

That's the funny thing. The head editors are good people, but they are very strict about hours and weekly pay. They want us to be out and about - which I don't necessarily mind - but they also want to see 40 hours a week every time.

 

[In Cold Blood]

I can't see how this is a bad thing. I would love to be able to spend more time hanging around practice during the week. That's how you build sources and break news - the more people get used to/comfortable with talking to you and seeing you around, the more likely they are to trust you/throw some news tips your way/accomodate you when you have specific requests

 

[BRoth]

I agree with what everyone's saying, but I suppose it just seems weird that I'm expected to go hang out at a library or coffee shop and wait for something to happen or go to cover something then hang out and work at said coffee shop or library.

I know I'm lucky enough to even have this as an option, so I've got that going for me.

 

[hockeybeat]

I agree with what everyone's saying, but I suppose it just seems weird that I'm expected to go hang out at a library or coffee shop and wait for something to happen or go to cover something then hang out and work at said coffee shop or library.

I know I'm lucky enough to even have this as an option, so I've got that going for me.

Uh, why would you hang at a coffee shop or a library? Go to practice. Go to the athletic department. Go where the news is.

 

[BillyT]

You don't get it.

You don't wait for something to happen.

You find it.

Then you write the story on your laptop.

Hell, I used to try to live in the town I covered.

Spending time in offices, stores, etc., gets you sources. Sources get you news.

 

[Magnum]

I agree with what everyone's saying, but I suppose it just seems weird that I'm expected to go hang out at a library or coffee shop and wait for something to happen or go to cover something then hang out and work at said coffee shop or library.

I know I'm lucky enough to even have this as an option, so I've got that going for me.

I'm in a similar situation, Broth. I'm at least a half-hour from my beat so the laptop is a godsend. I also get to take mine home with me.

The only time this becomes a con is when the editors inexplicably decide you AREN"T around enough and they ask you to spend more time in the office. Sounds strange but I've seen it happen plenty of times. It's just human nature, I suppose, for editors to want more face time. It's cyclical. All in all, though, I'd say you got yourself a good deal. Enjoy the freedom. It's one of our perks.

 

[farmerjerome]

This could be a bad thing, depending on the beat. I mean honestly, if you're a preps writer what are you going to do? Bring a folding chair to a field hockey practice?
Plus, wouldn't it look kind of funny if you were hanging around high school practices a lot?

But if you have the right beat, like a college or city beat, this would be fantastic. Hell I'd camp out all day at college campus if I was covering a team there -- especially a big sport.

 

[Editude]

Even desk jockeys understand that news happens away from the desk. Just basic interviews are better managed in person rather than on the phone, let alone seeking and reporting actual news.

 

[txsportsscribe]

Guess I'll suck it up.

might i suggest looking in the mirror and deciding if you're cut out to be a reporter? not trying to be a **** here but your posts on this topic, especially this one, just don't add up to someone who has a clue about their job.